“Bible Study!” Those words can cause extreme emotional responses in the hearts of God’s people. Responses include joy, fear, excitement, guilt, etc. One of my passions as a pastor is to equip the people of God so they will LONG FOR bible study. 1 Peter 2:2 says, “…like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation…” When I prepare a sermon each week, I don’t do it hoping you will think that I am wise or a good speaker. I do it with the prayer that you will be convinced that God is wise, and His Word is worth studying diligently and applying faithfully. I preach through the text of Scripture verse-by-verse so you can learn how to study the Bible for yourself. I ask questions to model for you how to ask questions and make observations of the text. I suggest applications so we will all read the Bible with the intent of being “doers,” not merely “hearers” (James 1:22-25). My desire is that all of us will become like the Bereans who were “…more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11 – NASB95). I jump for joy when someone tells me that they are reading ahead in 1 John and studying passages we will be coming to in the near future. I am thrilled when someone listens to a sermon on Sunday and contacts me later in the week to ask a question based on their own study of that passage. “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe (1 Thess. 2:13 – NASB95).
This month I want to address our SPIRITUAL ATTITUDE in the study of God’s Word. Below are some insights from Herbert Lockyer in his book, “All About Bible Study,” pp. 22-28. Please read them carefully and pray that the Lord would develop these things in all our hearts!
Unshaken Faith in the Infallibility of Scripture. Approaching the Scriptures, we must believe them to be the infallible source of truth. Our attitude must be that God cannot make a mistake; therefore, in His Word we have the authoritative revelation of His mind and will, in all areas including history, science, faith and practice. Our personal development of true biblical knowledge is dependent upon our estimation of Scripture. Unless, at the very outset of the search for truth, we accept the fact that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), our study of it will not yield much spiritual profit for our labor. An unregenerate or unspiritual man may extract features from the Bible common to other books, like historic interest, dramatic force, poetic pathos, etc. The distinguishing feature of the Bible, however, is its revelation of God, which can be fully understood and enjoyed only by those who are in harmony with the mind of God. Scripture affirms its own perfection, and this should be sufficient for those who seek to understand it. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Psalm 19:7).
Trembling before it. “To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My words… Hear the word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his word” (Isaiah 66:2, 5. See also Jeremiah 23:9). It must be confessed that few of us tremble or have the spirit of awe as we approach the Bible, which cannot be handled as an ordinary book. No other volume can exercise power over life and conscience as the Word that somehow finds us. Thus, we tremble at God’s Word for He is in it waiting to speak to our inmost heart.
Hiding it within. “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 19:11). Here we have the Best Book in the Best Place for the Best Purpose. If the Word is not pure, free from error, authentic, how can it sanctify (John 17:17)? Its mission is to transform our lives into its own perfect character.
Sticking to it. “I have stuck unto thy testimonies” (Psalm 119:31). The word for stuck means “cleaved or adhered unto,” and indicates faithfulness in acceptance of the word’s infallibility, and also our defense of same in the face of destructive criticism.
Proving it. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thess 5:21). This exhortation is related to the application of truth to the daily experiences and circumstances of life. Don’t just know it in your head, practice it in your life.
Constant Reliance Upon the Holy Spirit. Although some forty writers were used to form Scripture yet it has only one Author, as Peter affirms that “holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21). The only One, then, who inspired holy men to write what they did, is the only One who can lead and guide us into all truth. Thus, those who would be true interpreters of the Word must answer to certain qualifications.
- They must be born of the Spirit. It was to religious Nicodemus, who as a master in Israel, revered Old Testament Scripture, that Jesus said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of heaven” (John 3:3). Nicodemus had to learn that revelation was dependent upon regeneration; that if he would know the Book of God, he must first of all know the God of the Book. See also 1 Cor. 2:14.
- They must be taught of the Spirit. Longing to understand the Word, we need spiritual illumination, which is ever ours as we wait patiently upon the Lord. Along with Spirit-imparted comprehension there comes astonishing mental enlargement. The Spirit does not create new truth but unveils what has already been given. This is why when some fresh aspect of a verse is suggested by the Spirit, and we excitedly exclaim, “Well, I never saw that before,” yet it was there all the time. This is why we have to pray with David, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (Psalm 119:18).
Willingness to Obey the Truth Revealed. It was Theodore Monod, the devout French theologian, who said that the best commentary on the Bible was Obedience — “Do and thou shalt know.” Is this not the consistent teaching of the Word itself? “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17). If we desire to have the Book speak to us, we must do what it says, or its voice will be stilled. The truth cannot make and keep us free unless we know and obey it (John 8:32).
Sincere Concentration of Mind. Paul’s advice to Timothy was, “Give attendance to reading” (1 Timothy 4:13), and the original word for “attendance” implies a constant application to — a persistent, diligent, persevering attitude — attaching oneself to, or cleaving unto a thing. This command was given with reference to the local church but applies as well to our personal study of Scripture. To “concentrate” means to focus upon without distraction and represents the determination of the student to train his mind not to stray here and there when sitting down to master the Word.
“Bible Study!” Let’s all wrestle through the spiritual attitudes suggested above and commit ourselves to studying and obeying the Word of God.